Hoosier National Forest Seeks Contractors for Dam Valve Work on Tell City Ranger District

Three earthen dams tucked within the Tell City Ranger District of Hoosier National Forest need valve work, and the USDA Forest Service is now accepting contractor quotes to get it done.

The agency posted a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation on SAM.gov on March 5, 2026, under solicitation number 12444526Q0013, seeking qualified firms to replace valve assemblies at Celina Lake dam and Saddle Lake dam and to repair the valve assembly at the U-38 dam. The solicitation describes the core focus as ensuring the functionality of draw-down pipes, which control water release from each structure. According to the solicitation language, the work is critical for maintaining the integrity and operational capacity of the dams, which play a vital role in flood prevention and watershed management.

The three dams each run on different valve systems. Equipment lists and diagrams specific to each site have been attached to the solicitation, and as-built drawings are available upon request for contractors who need a closer look before bidding.

Proposals are due March 20, 2026, with an award decision expected within 30 days of solicitation closure. Evaluation will weigh technical capability, past performance, and cost. All bidders must hold active registration in SAM.gov to be eligible. The solicitation is designated as a small business set-aside and classified under NAICS code 237990, covering other heavy and civil engineering construction, with a product and services code of 4810 for valves. One procurement aggregator listed an estimated contract value of $10 million, though that figure has not been independently confirmed through the official solicitation documents.

Jordan Wheelock is listed as the point of contact on multiple federal procurement platforms. The official contact details, including direct email and phone number, are available in the solicitation on SAM.gov.

The Tell City Ranger District manages public lands across Perry County and neighboring areas of southern Indiana. Celina Lake and Saddle Lake are recreational areas within Hoosier National Forest that draw visitors for fishing and camping, making the operational reliability of their dams a matter of both public safety and resource management for the region.